CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS + SHIV: CO-INFECTION MODEL DEVELOPMENT

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. In humans, it is now widely believed that the presence of other sexually transmitted infections greatly facilitate the transmission and acquisition of HIV between sexual partners. As an example, chlamydia induced endocervical infection causes inflammation of the lower reproductive tract, which may allow for more efficient exchange of infectious viral particles, thereby enhancing HIV infection. Using this potential mechanism for enhanced viral uptake, we plan to 'prime' monkeys with a chlamydial infection, then attempt to infect them by mucosal challenge with SHIV. We intend to develop a co-infection model in the pig-tailed macaque, in which a reproducible SHIV infection rate (80-100%) is achieved after a single mucosal challenge in animals previously infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Upon successful development of this co-infection model, we expect to use it for efficacy-testing of topical microbicide products, in preventing SHIV infection. To evaluate the ability of a topical microbicide product to prevent viral uptake, we will expose chlamydia infected animals to a topical microbicide product, then challenge with SHIV. Such pre-clinical testing will greatly aid in the process of screening products for enrollment in clinical studies.